2019 IBHA Convention sees busy agenda!

The International Buckskin Horse Association recently hosted its 2019 convention and annual awards banquet March 14-16 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and saw a busy agenda throughout the weekend that included new class offerings and a new division to the association’s registry. “IBHA saw one of its largest conventions in recent history,” noted Deanna O’Keefe, IBHA office manager. “We had members actively participating in discussions throughout the convention and a large crowd for our annual awards banquet. We’re looking forward to a great show season in 2019!” Pictured is the 2018 Miss Buckskin World Alexis Robinson along with 2019 MBW candidates greeting IBHA Convention attendees.
Additional Classes Added  The IBHA standing committees and Executive Committee considered a number of rule changes and approved the following new classes for the 2020 show season:   Miniature Obstacle Driving, Amateur Select Disciplined Rail – Hunt Seat and Amateur Select Disciplined Rail – Western.
Buckskin Bred Program Added  After a lively and enthusiastic discussion regarding a proposal to add a Buckskin Bred division to the registry, the IBHA Executive Committee voted to approve the additional division effective immediately. In order to qualify for this division, a horse must reach a minimum of 14hh and have an IBHA registered sire, dam, grandsire or granddam. Registration forms were provided at the convention, and the first application for a Buckskin Bred registered horse was received while in Milwaukee. The association will consider the adoption of IBHA point classes for the Buckskin Bred division for the future.
Ben Grandstaff Named to Executive Committee The 2019-2020 IBHA Executive Committee includes President Mike Stadler, Colorado; Executive Vice President Ted Handel, Ohio; and Executive Committee Members Ed Anderson Wisconsin; Laurie Kristoff, Illinois; Dolores Kurzeja, Indiana; and Jan Thompson, Iowa. Ben Grandstaff, of Ohio, was named as the newest member of the Executive Committee.
Hall of Fame Inductees Named Barb Beckel was inducted posthumously into the Hall of Fame. She was an active member of both the Great Lakes Buckskin Association and IBHA, and would have become the first woman IBHA president at the time of her death. Her son and daughter in law Robert and Frann Beckel accepted the award, pictured right. All Around show horse Vans Mark earned 801 IBHA points, taking the Coop family through their Youth and Amateur competition years. The award was accepted by Haley and Heidi Coop, pictured left.
Stallion Undun Wind made a name for himself both as an IBHA and AQHA show horse earning numerous IBHA Honor Roll awards, but also as a proven sire of IBHA horses. Marlene and Bob Dreifke accepted the award, pictured right.
The Hall of Fame Committee also announced that the late Eugene Zimmermann and the late Fred Thompson will be the 2020 Hall of Fame inductees.
High Point Champions Awarded
All Around Open Horse – Legions Of Angels, Ronald Peterson, Clinton, Wisconsin
                Reserve All Around Open Horse – Kahlua N Ice, Randy & Teresa Coyle, Canton, Minnesota
All Around Youth – Sydni Loose, SS Lucky Willy Too, Cedar Grove, Wisconsin
                Reserve All Around Youth – Torie Opelt & Zips Chocolaty Chip, Greenwood, Wisconsin
All Around Amateur – Kim Turner, Hez Just Blowinsmoke, Holman, Wisconsin
                Reserve All Around Amateur – Amanda Rose & The Classic Rock, Janesville, Wisconsin               
All Around Select Amateur – Lise Graham, Holmen, Wisconsin and One Steady Promise
All Around Miniature – Silver Meadows Great Prophecy, Lori Wilson and Robert and Frann Beckel, Augusta, Michigan
The All Around Open, Youth and Amateur Champions were also awarded the AQHA Alliance Champion trophies.
In addition to the All Around Awards, Superior Event and Supreme Champions were awarded to the following:
Open:      Superior Disciplined Rail – Legions Of Angels, Ron Peters, Clinton, Wisconsin
                Superior Gelding Halter – Legions OF Angels, Ron Peters, Clinton, Wisconsin
                Superior Mare Halter – Jet N Butterscotch, Laurie Kristoff, Durand, IL
                Supreme Champion – Jet N Butterscotch, Laurie Kristoff, Durand, IL
                Superior Western Pleasure – PS Good Bards Buck, Linda Fueger, Lodi, Wisconsin
                Superior Gelding Halter - Gotta Bronze Touch, Kim Larson, Deerfield, Wisconsin
                Superior Longe Line – Sheza Dynamic Dun, Allison Dunne, Holmen, Wisconsin
Youth:      Superior Western Pleasure – Torie Opelt/zips Chocolaty Chip, Greenwood, Wisconsin
                Supreme Champion – Heather Lynn Gallitz/Deluxe Dun Blue, Jefferson, Wisconsin
                Supreme champion – Micah Yaeggi/Top Stuff Babe, Watertown, Wisconsin

Amateur: Superior Western Pleasure – Melissa Baker/Dun A Little Lazy, Oakfield, Wisconsin

In a year of firsts, the IBHA miniature division awarded Knapps Slated To Be Great, Norma Barnes Euresti & Alma Rivera, Grand Rapids, Michigan, the IBHA Supreme Champion Award, pictured left.  
Also an IBHA first was the Ranch Horse Register Of Merits awarded.
2018 had the first group of IBHA 40 consecutive year judges. Attending to receive her award is Carol Craig from Crown Point, Indiana.

The annual IBHA Convention also conducts one of the two Youth Scholarship auctions held to raise funds for deserving IBHA members. The popular donations this year were themed baskets. The members dug deep into their pockets to help raise over $3000.00. The Committee awarded 8 renewal scholarships and 2 new scholarships for a total of $7000.00! Pictured is ringman Dennis Mason selling a basket to Tamie Grandstaff while the queens try to help.

2019 IBHA World Championship Show Judges Announced  The 2019 Warm Up To The World and World Championship Show will be held at C Bar C Expo Center in Cloverdale, Indiana. The 2019 World Show schedule and entry information is posted on the IBHA website and will be mailed to members. Officiating the 2019 Warm Up To The World Show, to be held July 22-23, will be Tammy Braham, Pennsylvania; Jacqueline Carter, Ohio; Stephen Goretska, Iowa  and Scott McFarland, Hawaii. Judging the 2019 World Championship Show from July 23-27 are Paul Adix, Iowa; Sally Jo Freund, Washington and Lori Gordon, Pennsylvania.  

The World Show awards saddles to the high point All Around Amateur, Amateur Select, Youth 13 & Under, Youth 14-18 and Open Horse. Reserve All Around buckles will be awarded to the same divisions. All Around Awards will also be awarded in the Miniature, Youth Walk Trot and Ranch Horse divisions.

The World Show will also feature NSBA Dual-Approved classes as well as added money classes for Green Western Pleasure, Green Hunter Under Saddle, Miniature Obstacle Course, 2 Yr Old Western Pleasure, 3 Yr Old Western Pleasure, Versatility, Buckskin Bred All Age Mare Halter and Buckskin Bred All Age Gelding/Stallion Halter.

Registration on the grounds will be available only on Monday, July 22, 2019 for acceptable horses.